Tucson Electric seeks small increase in renewable energy program

The Valencia Solar project, built in 2013, spreads across the desert near East Valencia and South Craycroft roads, with Tucson Electric Power Co.’s H. Wilson Sundt Generating Station in the background. TEP has ended coal use at the Sundt plant and has ramped up utility-scale solar farms in recent years./Arizona Daily Star

By David Wichner | Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Electric Power Co. has proposed a small increase to its renewable energy program budget next year, while bumping up the caps on surcharges customers pay to support the programs.

In a recent filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission, TEP has proposed a 2018 program budget of about $53.6 million, an increase of $1.6 million from this year.

Most of that money will pay for renewable energy from large, utility-scale solar farms, which TEP believes are the most cost-effective way to meet its ambitious renewable energy goals, company spokesman Joe Salkowski said.